this ain't no iPad

[Sailor Robius]

hello all,

what is the purpose of a pad beneath a windlass?
i'll be installing a "new" SL seatiger and i'm wondering if i actually need one or if it's just for decoration. apologies if this has already been covered.
thanks in advance. -rob

[David_Old_Jersey]

To stop the windlass dissapearing over the side - with a small chunk of deck attached. Same principle as for Cleats.

Bigger the backing pad, the greater the loads the fitting can take (without detaching from / pulling through deck!). Won't mean that the fitting can't pull out - but would be with a large chunk of deck attached! - the bigger the backing pad (Width and depth) the less likely this is to happen.

With 40' of boat I would certainly not dispense with a backing pad.

[MC01]

If you're referring to a pad between the windlass and the deck . . . often times its to give a vertical windlass the proper height / alignment relative to the bow roller so chain feeds / un-feeds properly, and so it doesn't abuse the foredeck unnecessarily. If you look at the specifications for a vertical windlass, there should be a maximum angle specified and a pad is often necessary to stay within spec.. With a horizontal windlass like the one you mention, height alignment should be less important, but port/starboard alignment with the bow roller will be more important.

[Sailor Robius]

"With a horizontal windlass like the one you mention, height alignment should be less important, but port/starboard alignment with the bow roller will be more important."

so it's mostly for alignment issues and not some magical, nautical, moisture corrosion problem?

i went ahead and fab'd one of HDPE just to cover my transom but if i don't need it then.......

the backing plate was made full size of 1/4" stainless so no problem there.

one more question. what do you recommend using a a sealant? i'm assuming NOT 5200. correct?

[marshmat]

Not 5200, correct. 5200 is for when you know no-one will ever remove the thing again. If it might have to be replaced in the future, 3M 4200 or Sikaflex might be a better choice.

A well-designed windlass pad should help to spread the loads over a larger area of deck, should place the capstan/wildcat at the right height and orientation to get a fair lead to the bow roller, and should keep the windlass body high enough off the deck that standing water can't pool against it.

[Sailor Robius]

will do. thanks everyone!

[Sailor Robius]

"Sikaflex might be a better choice."

which formula?

[David M]

It can also be used to adjust the angle to the fairlead or block where the line runs from so you are less likely to get an override. Some pads are tapered.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Sailor Robius

"Sikaflex might be a better choice."

which formula?

291 or f11c

[David_Old_Jersey]

Ooops! I see I misunderstood .

As others said, pad on top of the deck used for alignment and also to spread the loads (gelcoated GRP fairly easy to crush - might not lead to a total failure (whoops! there goes the Windlass )...but only need a little bit to start allowing water in - and with cored decks it's then simply a matter of time (albeit probably a longgg time) before it causes problems).